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Interesting stories about curious words

£14.99

Susie Dent, Britain’s cleverest lexicographer, linguistic expert and much-loved national treasure, explores all the very best red herrings, cock and bull stories, white elephants and nine-day wonders in the English language. There are enough stories to furnish a hundred conversations in a wonderful collection for everyone who loves words.

In stock

SKU: 9781399811675 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

Join Susie Dent, lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Countdown‘s Dictionary Corner, on a curious and exceedingly interesting adventure through all the very best RED HERRINGS, COCK AND BULL STORIES and NINE-DAY WONDERS in the English language.

Who was SWEET FANNY ADAMS?


What’s the dramatic true story behind STEALING THUNDER?


Why is it CHANCING YOUR ARM when you take a risk?


What do bears have to do with LICKING INTO SHAPE?


Or robbers with PULLING SOMEONE’S LEG?


Why are CIRCLES VICIOUS?


And, what’s so bad about a WHITE ELEPHANT?

‘Nobody on earth knows more about the English language than Susie Dent’ Gyles Brandreth

Additional information

Weight 0.536 kg
Dimensions 22.2 × 13.8 × 3.6 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Hardback

Pages

xvi, 413

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

422 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K